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Experience some of China’s unsung architectural treasures on a day trip from Guangzhou to Kaiping, Zili and Chikan. Head into the countryside and admire Kaiping’s UNESCO-protected watchtowers; defensive multi-story houses dating from the medieval period on. Visit some of these unique towers in Zili village, and explore Li Garden and Chikan Old Town, famous for its Western-style 1920s architecture. Your tour includes transport, entrance fees, lunch, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

Highlights

Day trip to Kaiping, Zili, and Chikan Old Town from Guangzhou

View the UNESCO-listed medieval watchtowers (diaolous) of the Kaiping area

Visit Zili village to explore some of the multi-story defensive towers

Stroll around Li Garden to see its lakes and pavilions

Admire the Western-style houses on the riverbanks of Chikan Old Town

Southern Chinese lunch included

Entrance fees, transport, and hotel pickup and drop-off included

What You Can Expect

Watchtowers of Kaiping

Depart from your downtown Guangzhou hotel by comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle, and relax on the 2.5-hour drive south to Kaiping, deep in Guangdong province.

On route, gaze at China’s countryside, rice fields, and towns, and hear information about the region’s history from your guide. As you approach Kaiping, glimpse the famous watchtowers (diaolous) that dot the landscapes. The oldest of these UNESCO-listed, multi-story fortified houses date from the Ming dynasty era between the 14th and 17th centuries, and were built to stave off bandits and floods.

On arrival, visit the village of Zili, home to an impressive collection of the castle-like towers, including 20th-century examples built by returning Chinese émigrés who incorporated Western-style architecture into their designs.

Stroll around to study the towers' different styles, and head inside some to view the interiors and absorb the panoramas from the rooftops.

Refuel with a tasty southern Chinese lunch at a local restaurant, and then continue to the Li Garden, also known as Kaiping Garden. This early 20th-century garden was designed by a wealthy Chinese emigrant XieWei Li, and is home to a stunning watchtower, villas, waterways, and bridges. Stretch your legs to see the park's highlights like the magical-looking birdcage pavilion, and ornamental Chinese gardens.

Having explored here, travel to Chikan Old Town, known for its 1920s Western-style architecture. Returning expat Chinese families of the time came back here, and designed houses using Western architectural elements, complete with elegant balconies.

Absorb the rundown-but-photogenic houses along the riverbanks, and learn how Chikan has attracted movie producers who have used the houses as period film sets.

Finally, journey back to Guangzhou, where your day trip finishes with a hotel drop-off.